METS VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE 2013

Inspired by the outpouring of support for Hurricane Sandy relief, the Mets launched 'The Mets Volunteer Challenge" with New York Cares this summer to encourage our fans to participate in meaningful volunteer projects throughout the city. The team's goal to deepen the public's engagement in the community and reinforce our team's commitment to public service was met with flying colors!

The Mets Volunteer Challenge was a huge success as 797 people registered to participate in projects between May 21 and September 1. It took this commitment of 19,869 hours of volunteer work to complete 8,220 projects.

"New York Cares aims to meeting pressing community needs by mobilizing volunteers, and the Mets Volunteer Challenge rallied hundreds of additional New Yorkers to service," said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. "With the help of the Mets, New York Cares was able to tutor more children in helping close the achievement gap, repair more communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, and improve the lives of thousands throughout the five boroughs. The challenge was a home run, and we can't thank the Mets enough for partnering with us."

There were 282 individuals who pitched a perfect game by finishing at least nine projects, and many of those all-stars stepped onto the warning track for a pre-game ceremony before the Mets played the Giants on September 17.

The New York Mets and New York Cares thank all those who took the first Mets Volunteer Challenge for your outstanding service. We'll see you next summer!

To find out how you an experience the power of volunteering, visit nycares.org.